§831m–1 Tennessee Valley Authority least-cost planning program

Summary

Tennessee Valley Authority must run a planning program that finds the lowest total cost way to serve its electric customers. The planning must look at all options—new power plants, saving energy, more efficient use, and renewable sources—so service stays reliable and affordable. The process must consider how the system will operate (like reliability and flexibility), how to check and keep energy savings over time, and treat demand-side and supply-side options the same. “System cost” means all measurable net costs over a resource’s life, such as making and moving the energy, using it, handling waste, meeting environmental rules, and, for imports, keeping access to foreign supplies. TVA must let its local distributors suggest cost-effective efficiency, rate changes, and renewable ideas, and must help them plan and run those options. Help can include training, studies, money or equipment support, and sharing information, possibly through a distributors’ association. Before adding any major new energy resource, TVA must offer a public review and comment period and report the action in its annual report to the President and Congress. TVA is not subject to the least-cost planning rule in section 2621(d) of this title or similar rules tied to its power dealings with the Southeastern Power Administration.